A highly trained staff of probation officers works closely with the Circuit Court Judge to respond to youth referred by police agencies for criminal law violations. Probation officers are assigned to conduct intake assessments, determine public safety risk, monitor youth on probation, and provide youth with opportunities for skill development leading to a crime free future.

Referred youth are processed through diversionary agreements and official probationary periods based on assessments of individual public safety risk, youth needs and strengths.

Crime victims are provided the opportunity for meaningful involvement in the juvenile justice process, and restitution information is gathered and made part of youth accountability.

Probation officers review all information regarding public safety, personal responsibility, accountability and reformation and formulate recommendations to present at court hearings, and for on-going case planning. Probation officers utilize department programs and community-based resources in order to reduce youth public safety risk and increase positive community connections.

Effective Practices in Community Supervision (EPICS) is used to provide a structure for probation officers to deliver evidence based interventions and skills to juveniles using Core Correctional Practices. The University of Cincinnati designed the EPICS model to target criminogenic needs using risk, needs, and responsivity as guidelines.

EPICS and evidence based practices utilize tools such as the ABC Model, Pros and Cons, Tapes and Counters, Cost and Benefit Analysis, Skills, Behavior Chain, Thinking Reports and Problem Solving to target cognitive restructuring so that PO's regularly work with juveniles in different situations, triggers and events. There are variations of the these tools that can be tailored to each youth's individual needs as well as learning ability.

Probation Services Offices

Intake & Assessment Unit

2970 Center Street NESalem, Oregon

503-576-4617

Salem-Keizer and Gang Affected Unit

3060 Center Street NESalem, Oregon

503-588-5316

Intensive Supervision Unit, Rural, and Gang Affected Unit

3030 Center Street NESalem, Oregon

503-588-5314

PEER & JUVENILE MUNICIPAL COURTS

The Juvenile Department has working agreements to process many first time offenders through peer and juvenile municipal courts. The youth courts may require sanctions similar to the Juvenile Department on some referrals and additional sanctions on others. The youth courts strive for personal and local community accountability and services. Each youth court is unique to its local community.

INTAKE PROBATION UNIT

The intake Unit is the entry point for all referrals, except sex offenses. Intake Probation Officers (IPO) meet with youth brought to detention and review the presenting offense. Subsequently, the probation officer meets with the family to obtain more information before making a decision regarding further involvement with the Juvenile Department. They also supervise first time alcohol/marijuana violations and formal accountability agreements.

Upon receipt of paper police reports, Intake Probation Officers determine the level of intervention necessary and make appropriate assignments for assessment, intervention and services.

Intake Probation officers are available by phone for questions and provide information about community resources for youth and families. Hours of operation are 7:00 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. Monday – Friday and Saturday 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

FIELD PROBATION UNIT

The team consists of probation officers, two supervisors and support staff who work with youth and families within the boundaries of Marion County. The Probation Unit has specialties including working with gang affected youth, and youth charged with sex offenses. They conduct intake interviews and gather social history information on youth referred by law enforcement. Each youth is assessed for public safety risk, needs and strengths. A case plan is developed based on this assessment. The case plan may include formal accountability agreements as well as court ordered conditions of probation. The probation officer also works with victims to address restitution and other concerns.

Probation officers regularly collaborate with numerous community agencies including law enforcement, schools, treatment providers and others.

Each probation officer supervises an average 25 youth. The team includes probation officers who are bi-lingual/bicultural English/Spanish, and one who is bi-lingual/bicultural English/Russian.

STAR COURT

STAR stands for “Supervised Treatment and Recovery”. STAR Court is an integrated program that combines intense substance abuse treatment with frequent court appearances while addressing additional problems that youth may have.

The STAR Court mission is:

To work closely with young people in Marion County and their families in order to help them replace negative behaviors of crime and substance abuse with positive behaviors and goal-attainment.

The program serves young people between the ages of 12 and 17. Juveniles adjudicated for felony offenses, have significant alcohol or drug abuse, rate as medium or high risk on the risk assessment tool and are ready to commit to making changes are eligible for the program. This is a voluntary program.

A significant benefit to the program is the expunction of the juvenile's record upon graduation. On average it takes 15 months to complete the program.

INTENSIVE SUPERVISION UNIT

The Intensive Supervision Unit (ISU) is currently made up of probation officers who are assigned supervision of youth have been referred to the Department for sexual offenses.

Probation Officers assigned to this unit have special training and experience in working with this category of offender. In addition to the youth and family they work closely with the District Attorney’s office, defense attorneys, victim advocates, schools and treatment providers.

Every youth is required to participate in specialized treatment or education specific to the offense. Youth on court probation are also required to participate in polygraph examinations, which are used to verify the youth’s behavioral self-report and their progress in treatment.

COMMUNITY SURVEILLANCE TEAM

Community Surveillance Team, CST, is made up of probation officers that make evening visits to the youth’s home to check on youth’s compliance with probation conditions as well as youth who are released on Conditional Release Agreements pending their court case. In addition Community Surveillance Teams attend community functions where youth are gathered. CST also includes a close relationship with community law enforcement.

Questions & Answers:

What Parents Should Know about Juvenile Probation

We, as a department, want to make sure that you and your child receive the maximum benefit from your involvement with us. We encourage you to talk openly and honestly with your child’s probation officer – it’s when parents and probation staff work together that early interventions can be utilized and public safety enhanced. The need for more intensive involvement in the juvneile justice system can be avoided.

A: Probation is a sentence that is imposed by the court after someone commits a crime. While under probation the youth will be required to complete conditions connected to the crime they have been adjudicated for. This can include community service, fines, treatment requirements, payment of restitution to crime victims, school attendance and participation, curfew, compliance with family rules, alcohol and other drug assessment and treatment, and placement in shelter care, residential treatment program, or detention. The degree (or sentence) of probation depends on how serious the crime was and/or the number of law violations the youth has committed. Juvenile probation can last anywhere from 90 days to five years or age 23, depending on the youth’s public safety risk and compliance with court requirments.

While on probation, the youth may have the chance to live at home. Other important circumstances may lead to the youth’s removal from the home. These include, but may not be limited to, the youth or community being at risk. At that point options would be explored to decide the most appropriate placement to meet the needs of both the youth and the community.

Completing a successful term of probation requires a cooperative working relationship between several people. The most important are the youth, parents and his or her probation officer. The goal of probation is to help the youth develop positive decision making skills, and become responsible for his/her actions, while protecting the community, from further criminal acts. If the youth continues to show a significant risk to the community, and is not motivated to change his or her behavior, a commitment to a youth correction facility run by the Oregon Youth Authority may occur.

What are the Expectations of the Youth while on Probation:

A: Once placed on probation, the youth will be expected to follow all conditions of his or her probation. Conditions of probation may be changed by the Court depending on the youth’s progress and/or level of risk to the community. The probationer will only be allowed to stay in the community if the youth consistently shows responsible behavior that reduces their public safety risk, and progress toward completing probation. Failure to do so may result in placement in detention, a temporary removal from the community, or, more seriously, a commitment to a youth correction facility.

The probationer will be responsible for keeping all appointments and meetings set by his/her probation officer. The probationer will be expected to attend any groups or programs listed in court orders. The youth is expected to cooperate with his/her probation officer, family and other community resources.

What are the expectations of parents of youth on probation?

A: Marion County Juvenile Department expects that parents are actively involved in their child’s court ordered probation. The court expects that you parent your child. This means holding them accountable for their actions and demonstrating responsible behavior yourself, both at home and in the community. It also means notifying the probation officer when your child is not complying with the court expectations. The probation officer and court will work with you in that process. We understand it isn’t always easy, and want to support you as a parent.

You may be directed by the Court or probation officer to complete conditions with your child. This may include such things as counseling, parent training, and alcohol/drug assessment and treatment. Your cooperation with the Court and open, honest communication with the probation officer will help your child progress successfully through probation. If parents choose not to cooperate with the Court, they may be held in contempt of court.

Despite your child’s involvement with the Court, you continue to be financially responsible for your child.

What is the job of the probation officer?

A: The probation officer will work with you and your child to make sure that he/she is completing conditions of probation and the probation case plan in a timely manner. In addition, the probation officer monitors the youth’s risk and whether or not the youth can successfully complete his or her terms of probation while continuing to live in the community. The probation officer may refer you and your child to programs and services, which will help you based on the youth’s needs, risk and strengths.

The probation officer expects both the youth and parents to consistently show responsible behavior. Accountability is very important. The length of probation is determined by the youth’s level of effort and responsibility. Meetings will be scheduled with the probation officer to discuss progress and planning. The probation officer may also set Court reviews if necessary, and also to recognize a youths success.

Marion County Juvenile Department has a number of programs to assist your child in completing his/her probation. These include: paid work programs, community services programs, educational programs, skill building groups, individual, family counseling and parenting classes, and special programs for youth with substance abuse and mental health concerns.

The probation officer uses resources in the community to help in the areas of substance abuse issues, mental health issues, medical services, and community services opportunities. Other services through the State of Oregon, which include foster care and residential treatment, are also considered as needed.

Your child’s probation officer may coordinate referrals to these programs and services. The parent and youth may be responsible for obtaining other services. Most Marion County Juvenile department programs are provided without cost to youth and families. However, parents may be required to pay for community and State of Oregon programs such as Drug Treatment, Shelter Care, Residential Treatment, and cost of committment to a Youth Correctional Facility.